German artists to exhibit at NAGN

THE Goethe-Institut Namibia and National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) will be hosting a multi-disciplinary exhibition of contemporary art from Germany that depicts visions of the future and speculations on the course of history.

The event is set to take place at the NAGN on 19 September 2018.

The artwork is produced by sixteen artists from Germany, and includes a series of films, photographs, sculptures, paintings and collages instigating questions regarding the future’s perception as a finished past and moving beyond tried-and-trusted ways of thinking.

NAGN Chief Executive Officer, Snobia Kaputu, said she wishes Namibia embraces the exhibition, as artists are dreamers and reflect their envisioning of the future through their work.

That is part of a global conversation on how history effects the present and how technology influences the future, she said.

“In Africa and specifically in Namibia, it has and still remains a dialogue on how technology has and continues to change our heritage and culture. However, living in a global village driven by social and economic demands, it is expected from us to change our mind-set as per changes that come along with technology; but that should not allow us to forget our roots and neither compromise the foundation laid by our forefathers regarding our heritage and culture,” she said.

Kaputu emphasised that while the exhibition is from Germany, the sentiments shared through its content reflects a multinational challenge that requires every citizen of the global village to accept the past and that the future is unknown.

“This requires everyone to become a dreamer of the future and how technology will affect that, while putting strategies into place that will allow future generations to cope with the pace of technological changes,” she said.

Germany’s Ambassador to Namibia, Christian Schlaga, said ‘Future Perfect’ projet is an example of many achievements.

“This exhibition is further evidence of the ever increasing cultural exchanges and collaborations between Namibia and Germany. We hope that through such initiatives the two countries share ideas and encourage development in the arts and cultural spheres,” Schlaga said.

Director of the Goethe-Institut Namibia, Daniel Stoevesandt, echoed Schlaga’s sentiments saying the numerous public walk abouts through the exhibition from 26 September till 31 October will stimulate thinking and speculation of one critical concept.

“The envisioning and speculation of the future takes into account our way of thinking and how old notions can be abolished and replaced with new ideas that reflect on promises of the future,” Stoevesandt said.